Convertible vehicle body



April 27, 1965 M.F.PAYNE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE BODY Filed Nov. 13, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1f April 27, 1965 M. F. PAYNE 3,180,676

CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE BODY Filed N'ov. 13. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,M/@ma ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,180,676 CNVERTELE VEHICLE BUDY Murel F. Payne, Chesterfield Shores, New Baltimore, Mich, assigner to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 151,893 Claims. (Qi. 296-136) This invention relates to convertible vehicle bodies and more particularly to top well closures for convertible vehicle bodies.

At the present time Ithe usual convertible vehicle body includes a top well to receive the top frame in the lowered position thereof. The top well is usually covered by a fabric type boot which is secured to the body around the opening of the top well. Other types of top well covers which have been used are those of the generally rigid type wherein one or more rigid sections are removably secured in a suitable manner to the body around the top well opening.

The top Well closure of this invention generally includes a main lightweight foldable frame which covers the main portion of the top well and is pivoted to the forward wall of the main portion of the top well so as to be swung forwardly and downwardly to a stored position when folded. The main frame includes a pair of foldable side frame members which are pivotally secured to the main frame so as to be foldable thereover prior to folding of the main frame. The main frame and side frame members sup Y port the top well cover which is foldable therewith.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a top well closure which presents a smooth appearance when inl place and which can be easily stored within the body when not in use. Another object of this invention is to provide a lightweight top well closure which includes a supporting frame structure foldable into a compact pack'- age easily stored within .the body when not in use.

These and other objects of the invention will be readily apparent from the following specification and drawings wherein: y

FIGURE 1 is a partially brokenaway top plan view of a portion of 'a convertible vehicle body embodyinga top well closure according to this invention, with the closure being shown in its unfolded or closed position;

FIGURE 2 is anenlarged partially broken away view taken generally along the plane indicated `by line-Z-Z of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partially broken away view taken generally along the plane indicated by line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is' an enlarged sectional view taken generally along Vthe plane indicated byline 4-4 of FIGURE 2; and Y FIGURE Sis an enlarged view of a portion of FIG- URE 1.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE l of the drawings, a convertible vehicle body 1b includes a rear seat having a seat cushion 12 anda seat back 14, a declr lid le, doors 13, and a generally U-shaped top well 2Q which receives the usual top frame (not shown) in the lowered position thereof and includes a main top well portion 22 and a pair of side well portions 24. The well Ztl is closed by a well closure 26 according to this invention which generally includes a main lightweight frame 23, a pair of side frame members Sil, and a fabric cover 32. Frame 28-includes an intermediatae supporting member orrod 34, a rear support member or rody 36, which is shaped generally to the contour of the rear wall of the main top well portion 22, and a forward support member or bar 38 received within a channel member itl secured tothe forward Wall of the main top well portion 22. Members 3d and 38 are interconnected by a plurality ICC y 2 of wire members 42 having their rearward ends curled around the member 3d at 44, so as to hinge the member 34 to the members 42., and having their forward ends lo bent laterally, secured to the member 3S, and interconnected by member 47V. Members 34 and 36 are likewise interconnected by a plurality of wire members 48 having their forward ends Sil curled around the member 34 so as to hinge the member 34 thereto, with the rearward offset ends of the members 43 being secured to the member 36. Members 3d, 36 and 33 are further interconnected by members 52 and 5d, members 52 being shaped the same as the members i2 and having their forward bent ends 55 secured to the member 33, and members 54 ybeing shaped the same as the members 455 and having v their rearward oifset ends 5S secured to the member 36.

As best shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the curled forward end of each member 5d is `formed into an apertured clevis and the curled rearward end of each member 52 is formed into an apertured tongue which is received within the clevis of the respective member 5d and is pivotally secured thereto by the member 3d passing through the aligned apertures in the members "52 and 54. The ends of the member 3d are headed over, as shown, and a collar 6@ is pinned at 62 to the member 34 to the inner side of each member 54 to prevent lateral shifting movement of these members along the member 34.

Members 52 and 54 are held in a slighty downwardly bowed relationship in the normal or closed position of closure 26 by a manual type of latch which generally includes a channel shaped latch member ed pivoted at 66 to each member 52 and adapted to receive both the adjacent ends of the members 52 and 54 therein as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, A linger hold d attached to the member ed allows it to be moved between its lockedy position, as shown in full lines in FIGURE 3, wherein rotational movement of the members 52 and Se relativeto each other is prevented, and an open position, as shown in dot-dash lines in FIGURE 3, wherein these members may pivot relative to each other.

l The side frame members Sil are each of generally arcuate shape so as to follow the rear wall contour of the side well portions 2d of the top well. One end of each or the members 3d is pivoted by a headed pin 76 to the flattened otset end '72 of the member 36, as shown best in FIGURE 5. Each member Si? is further provided with a transverse generally V-shaped tongue 74 to each side of the aperture therethrough which are adapted to be received within complementary shaped grooves in the member 36 when the members 3? and 36 are located in aligned relationship. The fabric cover 32 is suitably secured to the members 36 and 3? and `also to the members 3b. rljhe side wing portions of the cover 32 include at least two conventional snap butt-ons 76 which are adapted to be snapped over complementary fasteners secured to the body.

When the Vtop well closure is in its normal or closed position as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the buttons '76 are in -a snapped position to tensionthe side wing portions of the fabric cover 32 and in turn hold the tongues '7d' of the members Si@ in tight tting engagement within the complementary grooves in the member 36.

The fabric cover 32. is tensioned between the members 36 and 38 when the closure 26 is in its normal or closed position so as to present a smooth appearance across the entire main portion of the top Well, as can be seen in FIGURE 2. Also it will be remembered that the latch member 64 holds the members 52 and 5d in a slightly downwardly bowed position Whenthe members are engaged therewithin. This causes the member 36 and in turn the members Si) to tightly grip the body adjacent the rear Wall opening of the top well Ztl. The offset ends 53 of the members Se and the similar offset ends of the memsdsoere a bers d8 aid in this gripping of the memb-ers 36 and Si) to the body and, of course, also aid in tensioning the fabric cover 32.

When it is desired to moveA the closure 26, to a stored position, the buttons '7d are first released and the members 3d can thereupon be folded over the members 43 with the side wall portions of the fabric cover. Tnereafter, the latch members 64 are moved to their unlatched or open position, as indicated by dot-dash lines of FIG- URE 3. The operator then presses against the member 34 to initially fold the main frame 28, with this folding movement being thereafter continuous by grasping the member 36 and moving it forwardly of the body so that the entire closure is folded into a very compact package which can be stored against the forward wall of the top well compartment, so as to be out of the way of the top frame.

Thus, this invention provides a new and improved top well closure.

What is `claimed is:

1. In a vehicle body having a top well opening including a main portion defined by forward and rearward edge portions and a pair of side portions defined by inner and outer edge portions merging respectively into said forward and rearward main edge portions, a top well closure comprising, in combination, a main foldable frame including a forward portion mounted on said body adjacent said forward edge portion anda rearward portion pivoted to said forward portion andengageable with said body adjacent said rear edge portion, a pair of side frame members pivotally mounted on said rearward frame portion and extending therefrom partially around said side edge portions, a flexible cover of a size to cover said opening, means securing said cover to said forward and rearward frame portions and to said side frame members, and means securing said cover to said body adjacent said .inner and outer edge portions.

2. In a vehicle body having a top well opening including a main portion defined by forward and rearward edge portions and a pair of side portions defined by inner and outer edge portions merging `respectively into said forl ward and rearward main edge portions, a top well closure,

comprising, in combination, a main frame including a forward portion swingably mounted on said body adjacent said forward edge portion and a rearwardportion foldable relative to said forward portion between generally` aligned and folded positions relative thereto, said rearward portion overlapping said rear edge portion and engageable with said body adjacent thereto in said aligned position, a pairof side frame members pivotally mounted on said rearward frame portion and extending partially around said side edge portions, a exible cover of a size to cover said opening, means securing said cover to said well closure comprising, in combination, a main frame including a forward portion swingably mounted on said forward wall and a rearward portion pivotally secured to said forward portion for folding `movement relative thereto between aV generally aligned position whereinsaid rearward portion overlaps said rear wall and engages said body adjacent thereto and a folded position wherein said forward and Vrearward portions are generally juxtaposed to said forward wall, a pair of side frame members pivotally mounted on said rear frame portion and extending therefrom adjacent said outer walls, a flexible cover of a size to cover said well, means securing said cover to said forward and rearward frame portions and to said side frame members, andy meanssecuring said cover to said body adjacent said inner and outer side edge portions.

4. In a vehicle body having a top well opening including a main portion having forward and rearward edge portions and a pair of side portions having inner and outer edgeV portions joined respectively to said forward and rearward edge portions, a top `well closure comprising, in combination, a unitary frame assembly including a main frame mounted on said body adjacent said forward edge portions and engageable with said body adjacent said rearward edge portion and a pair'of sideV frame members pivotally mounted on said mainframe andmovable in directions generally transversely thereof between a folded position overlying said mainframe for compact storage andan unfolded position extending from `said main frame and overlying said side portions, a exible cover of a size to cover said opening, means securing said cover to said mainframe and to said side frame members,l and means securing said cover to said body adjacent said inner and outer edge portions. f y

5. In a vehicle body having a top well opening including a main portion having forward and rearward edge portions and a pair of side portionshaving innerand outer edge portions joinedrespectively to said forward and rearward edge portions, a top well closure comprising, a combination, a unitary frame assembly including a main frame having aforward portion mounted on said body adjacent said forward edge `portion and a 'rear- 'ward portion engageable Ywith said .body adjacentfsaid rearward edge portion, said frame assembly further including a pair of side frame members pivotally mounted on said rear frame portion and movable in directions generally transversely thereof between a folded position overlying saidmain frame for compact storage and an unfolded position extending from said rear `frame portion and overlying Vsaidside portions, means biasing said 'rearward .frame portion and said side frame members into engagement with said body, fa exible cover of a size to cover said opening, means securingsaid cover to said forward andrearward frame portions and to said side frame members, and means securing said cover to said body adjacent said inner and Youter edge portions.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNrrnD `sfrArns PATENTS 1,809,505` 6/31 campbei1t 29e- 137 2,599,277 6/52V orr g 29e- 107 2,664,309 12/53 Kavaiar 29e-136 2,965,259 12/60 Johnson 22o-6 PHtLrP ARNOLD, Primary Examiner. A. HARRY` LEVY, Examiner.

UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NO 3, 180 ,676 April Z7 1965 Murel F. Payne It is hereby certified that error appears n the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as correctedbelow.

Column 2, line 43, for "or the members" read of the members column 4, line 36, for "a combination," read in Combination,

Signed and sealed this 14th day of September 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Allnsting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN A VEHICLE BODY HAVING A TOP WELL OPENING INCLUDING A MAIN PORTION DEFINED BY FORWARD AND REARWARD EDGE PORTIONS AND A PAIR OF SIDE PORTIONS DEFINED BY INNER AND OUTER EDGE PORTIONS MERGING RESPECTIVELY INTO SAID FORWARD AND REARWARD MAIN EDGE PORTIONS, A TOP WELL CLOSURE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A MAIN FOLDABLE FRAME INCLUDING A FORWARD PORTION MOUNTED ON SAID BODY ADJACENT SAID FORWARD EDGE PORTION AND A REARWARD PORTION PIVOTED TO SAID FORWARD PORTION AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID BODY ADJACENT SAID REAR EDGE PORTION, A PAIR OF SIDE FRAME MEM- 